PRODUCT LAUNCH - EXPANDED BOOT HOIST RANGE - MAR 2007

Elap are pleased to announce the launch of their new boot hoist range which has completed our product portfolio from lifting devices from 0kgs to 200kgs!

Our boot hoist range "V" has really pushed our engineers design enthusiasm as in mind at all times has been the aesthetic look of the product.

Please visit our Wheelchair/Scooter Stowage page to see our complete range.

PRODUCT LAUNCH - MULTIDRIVE PUSH PULL - FEB 2007

Elap are pleased to announce the launch of their Multidrive Push Pull hand control, the Multidrive is a simple mechanical solution enabling you to control acceleration and brake with a level fitted below your steering wheel. The product manufactured to a car specific state ensuring optimum performance in each vehicle.

It is always advised that you have an indicator switch installed on your push pull controls, as this allows you to have easy access to indicator controls when you have one hand on the steering wheel and the other on the push pull control. Previously this was an expensive process due to the new type of wiring vehicles use (Multiplex) Elap has made a bold move to eliminate this difference for indicator switches. Customers will enjoy this feature at the same price as a non-multiplex vehicle and if your a Motability Scheme customer you will not have to make ANY additional payment!

ELAP MOBILITY COMMIT TO THE SKILLS PLEDGE - JAN 2008

The Skills Pledge is a voluntary, public commitment by the leadership of a company or organisation to support all its employees to develop their basic skills, including literacy and numeracy, and work towards relevant, valuable qualifications to at least Level 2 (equivalent to 5 good GCSEs). The purpose is to ensure that all staff are skilled, competent and able to make a full contribution to the success of the company/organisation.

HIGH TECH ASSESSMENT TRAINING FOR EMPLOYEES - NOV 2007

Elap Mobility has recently launched a range of high-tech driving adaptation products for the UK market. The products include a joystick steering system along with electronic accelerator and brake solution. Elap understand the challenges in terms of customer assessment when it comes to high-tech driving controls, by the very nature of the products they will require a significant degree of customisation for each and every customer.

As such Elap procured the services of high-tech assessment expert Sue Vernon to deliver a bespoke training course at Elap’s new training facilities in Lancashire. The course was delivered to their staff earlier this month covering issues such as drive form wheelchair position/posture, driving control accessibility and a detailed understanding of how to ‘measure’ a customer up for their products.

Elap identified the importance of thorough and accurate customer assessment and product customisation, in some cases a few millimetres and mean a customer can or cannot drive the vehicle using the controls provided, accuracy and attention to detail are key attributes to any successful assessment procedure.

For further details regarding their high-tech adaptations please contact Rob Ellis – Retail Manager on 01254 871599 or visit www.elap.co.uk

NEW PRODUCT LAUNCH! - ELAP FREEDOM ELECTRONIC GAS & BRAKE - OCT 2007

We are proud to launch the new Elap Freedom - Electronic Gas & Brake system. The Elap Freedom has been developed to allow full acceleration and braking control by simply operating a light lever.

The handset is available in 3 options, however specific customisation can be undertaken to suit your needs.

The Elap Freedom was Motability Accredited in September 2007 at our partner company Guidosimplex in Rome, a number of Elap staff attended as well as Steve Gilmartin from Motability.

Click here for the product brochure...

Elap has recently completed a government run support programme set up to help companies increase their export potential.

Elap joined the programme over two years ago and has had the benefit of a export advisor in order to identify markets and create new opportunities.

Elap has recently appointed Rob Ellis as retail manager for the business, the role is a new an exciting venture for Elap focusing on the way we provide services directly to less able bodied customers. Rob Ellis will manage a new business unit ‘Local Service Delivery’ and will expand the team already in place covering Northwest and Scotland areas.

David Newns Commercial Director says “Its an ambitious move for the business transforming us from a trade supplier to a well rounded business providing innovation to both trade partners and end users alike. Rob will bring his 15 years of management and sales experience to grow and develop this new and exciting business unit.

Elap has recently launched another great wheelchair/scooter stowage hoist to its velocity boot hoist range. Aptly named the V120 with a safe working load of 120KG.

The hoist is very versatile and designed for the larger scooter or power chair to be stored in an MPV. Simply drive on to the ramp and let the V120 do the rest!

The unit in most MPV’s even allows you to still seat 5 people!

Click here for more details…

More than 3,000 people attended Independent Living Scotland 2007 - which ran at the SECC in Glasgow from March 28-29 - a slight increase on the attendance on the last event in 2005. The visitors at this unique event consisted of healthcare professionals, the general public and trade visitors.

Well-known Radio DJ Tiger Tim opened the event and other highlights included a series of packed out seminar sessions for both professional and public audiences. One highlight for AHPs was a seminar on the new Framework for Adult Rehabilitation in Scotland from Jacqui Lunday, Chief Health Professions Officer at the Scottish Executive. Elsewhere in the programme, the public attended a session on Direct Payments presented by the Glasgow Centre for Inclusive Living in their droves. All the latest products from 130 of the industry's leading suppliers including Elap were also on display at the Show.

The New Elap Traveller has now received formal accreditation from Motability, this ensures the unit meets their detailed code of practice for Wheelchair Transfer Systems. The Elap Traveller will now be available to order with your new Motability vehicle as from 1st April 2007 directly from your Motability Car Dealership!

The 13th Annual Moving & Handling People conference has been designed to provide the information and skills OT’s need to demonstrate competency in practice. The event was attended by over 400 practitioners and managers in health and social care, at both operational and strategic levels.

The New Elap Traveller was our debut product, which amazed most attendees with its functionality and ease of use. Its solves a huge problem for OT’s and carers alike when attempting to transfer passengers in and out of motor vehicles. Visit out product portfolio to learn more about the Elap Traveller.

Thursday the 23rd November saw the first Elap Academy hosting over 70 people from adaptation companies, assessment centres and other relevant industry professionals. The aim of the day was to increase the awareness of adaptations available and to deliver technical installation training to our ever-expanding fitter network. In particular the day was used to launch a number of new key products to the Elap Portfolio including the new CAN-BUS Infrared and Elap Traveller System.

The CAN-BUS Infrared revolutionises the existing Infrared installation process undertaken by directly interacting with the CAN-BUS system utilised on the majority of new vehicles. This cuts installation time and reduces the possibility of incorrectly/badly wired units being installed thus raising safety standards.

The Elap Traveller is the result of 18 months development and is an evolution from our existing and very popular swivel seat we invented over 30 years ago. The Traveller allows the car seat to be transferred onto the base of a wheelchair thus negating the need for the user to leave the seat when transferring to and from the vehicle.

Special award certificates were presented by Hayley Ingram from General Motors for Guidosimplex dealer of the year – David Relph Adaptions, Swivel Seat dealer of the year – Cuddihy Mobility of Ireland and New Elap dealer award – BR Mobility.

Guest speakers from both General Motors and Motability spoke about the need for strong and knowledgeable relationships in the industry specifically between adaptation installer and local car dealerships therefore offering disabled customers a complete vehicle solution. An example of this has been demonstrated recently after Elap launched an E-Marketing campaign to car dealerships in conjunction with General Motors to help raise the awareness of adaptation availability.

The day also provided a platform for fundamental industry topics to be addressed, for example how we communicate with car manufacturers and looking at standardisation and testing facilities. Elap boasted their new computerised testing facilities including Finite Element Analysis that will allow us to simulate many situations and develop our products to ensure standards are exceeded David Elvin from Motability said “Its great that companies such as Elap are embracing new technology such as Finite Element Analysis, it raises their game and allows them to communicate on a level playing field with car manufacturers”

Click here to download full Press Release

Elap has recently been actively involved in raising the awareness of adaptations to over 80 of FordRetail’s Motability Specialists across the UK. FordRetailUK identified the need for Motability Specialists to have a greater understanding of adaptations along with the right contacts to signpost potential customers to.

Elap demonstrated the latest adaptations available for both passengers and drivers and allowed the specialists to try the equipment for themselves along with specialist support from trained driving instructors.

Two new state of the art drive from wheelchair assessment vehicles have recently been handed over to the Forum of Assessment Centres to enhance the provision for people who require a drive from wheelchair solution.

Elap along with 3 other sponsors have carried out extensive adaptation work to these vehicles installing the latest in driving adaptations including an Electronic Radial Accelerator and Electronic Ring Accelerator.

Anne Fry officially launched the vehicles on Tuesday 31st October 2006 at the Forum’s business meeting.

The day will give our installers the opportunity to learn about our aspirations for the future and to gain a technical understanding of our new product range (including our new CAN-BUS Infrared) through hands on training workshops.

Attendance from Guidosimplex, Motability, Motability Operations, Assessment Centre Managers and the Department for Transport is expected as well as Hayley Ingram from General Motors who will deliver a short talk in relation to the adaptation sector.

Click here to download the invitation & training programme

CONTINUED GROWTH FOR ELAP! – MOBILE FITTING IN SCOTLAND - AUGUST 2006

Elap Mobility has recently launched a Mobile Adaptation Demonstration and Fitting facility in mainland Scotland.

The new facility will ensure that customers receive a unique service enabling disabled drivers/passengers to have product demonstrations at their home or indeed car dealership free of charge. Adaptation compatibility can also be given to the customer while they are deciding on a specific car to ensure their vehicle and adaptation combination is suitable for their needs.

Adaptations are then installed at the customers house or if the vehicle is new this can be undertaken at the dealership before the car is handed over to the customer minimising delay.

David Kydd (Elap Adaptation Specialist for Scotland) says “I’m very excited about Elap’s expansion into the Scottish market, there has been a need for this customer focused service for some time and I’m delighted to be part of its growth. Customers can now expect a real hands on approach to adaptations”

This new service is following an already rapid expansion in the market by Elap with a variety of new products, services and support offerings.

David Newns (Commercial Director) says “Its an important time for Elap we have undergone a complete internal restructure of the organisation and we are now proving ourselves to be a dynamic, energetic and professional team making some long awaited moves in the industry and delivering an efficient customer centric service.”

Elap Mobility launch their new floor mounted accelerator and brake system.

The floor mounted accelerator and brake is one of the most advanced driving adaptations available and can control acceleration electronically or mechanically. It provides a light and non-tiring acceleration control with a positive and comfortable response. The system is designed not only to operate effortlessly but also to ‘blend in’ with the vehicles interior producing that original equipment ‘feel’ Click here to download the product brochure.

Elap Mobility launch their new person transfer system at the Mobility Road show in Swindon on 8-10th June 2006. The system offers trouble free transfer from a vehicle for wheelchair users without the need to leave their seat. It is the perfect solution for less able – bodied people who do not require a full wheelchair accessible vehicle conversion.

The system boasts many unique features which benefit both fitment and operation of the unit, over two years of development has enabled Elap to produce a person transfer system which is without doubt the easiest and most user friendly transfer system available.

Elap have developed the Traveller in collaboration with their Italian partners Technodrive, David Newns the Commercial Director said “ We employed the latest technology and communication methods to ensure a successful and efficient Pan-European product development project”

ELAP – AN ESTABLISHED COMPANY WITH NEW IDEAS - NOVEMBER 2005
ELAP Traditionally known for its swivel seats have initiated a significant growth plan which they hope will see them become a quality supplier for all disabled driving adaptations and ancillary equipment in the UK.

The past 12 months has seen ELAP develop a number of core driving adaptations, including left foot accelerators, pedal guards and a slim fit hoist range featuring their unique multi-boom system. Richard Platt, Head of Research and Developments says “Its fantastic to see the company developing new and exciting products, thinking differently to design modern, practical and cost efficient adaptations.”

ELAP have also recently made a significant investment in production machinery including the latest plasma cutting technology allowing them to develop these innovations quickly and efficiently, shortening the traditional product development cycle substantially.

Chris Lord, Managing Directors says “Its graitifying the amount of positive response we have had from customers and partners alike, the word has spread so quickly and we have already been liaising with a number of international partners looking at opportunities for exporting. The focus has always been on the customer, and making adaptations, practical and simple yet stylish, has been our core business model for the past 30 years, it hasn’t failed us yet!”